Car hits pedestrian in Salinas

A woman was in critical condition late Tuesday after she was hit trying to cross East Laurel Drive in Salinas, police said.

The woman, in her 20s, stepped directly into the path of a vehicle traveling east near St. Edwards Drive about 7:15 p.m., police said. The impact forced her into the windshield, and she was thrown at least 25 feet.

The woman sustained major head trauma and was airlifted to a San Francisco Bay Area hospital, police said.

The driver was cooperative and did not appear to be under the influence, police said.